Another question from comments.

The other day, I shared a post entitled A Reflection. In it I spoke of the execution of a man I'd written to for more than a decade. He'd been convicted of murder. In response, a reader commented, "You stated Robert had committed an evil crime. Apparently knowing his crime, I am curious to know what type of punishment you feel would be sufficient for what he did."

First of all, let me state that nothing - nothing we as humans do on earth is "sufficient" for taking a human life. Nothing. To suggest that anything we devise as earthly punishment is in some way just recompense for willfully depriving another human being of life is, to me, ludicrous. Life is a precious gift from our Creator, and it is an affront to God to take it upon ourselves - individually or collectively - to deprive another of this gift.

Even if someone manages to "get away with" such an egregious sin on earth, he will still have to answer to our creator.But I am not suggesting that someone who commits the act of murder should therefore elude punishment here on earth. If an individual commits an act which meets the legal definition of murder, he must also be held accountable here on earth. Anything less would be anarchy. But...

• In 49 out of the existing 50 states in the U.S. - with the sole exception of Alaska - an option for a sentence of "life in prison without possibility of parole" exists.
• For those who claim that capital punishment serves as a deterrent to those who might commit the crime of murder, note that "During the last 20 years, the homicide rate in states with the death penalty has been 48% - 101% higher than in states without the death penalty."
•  For those who cite the cost of housing an inmate for life, note that studies consistently show that the cost of "life in prison without possibility of parole" is significantly less expensive than the expense of carrying out a sentence of death.
• For those who believe that the problem of cost could be eliminated by "frying 'em faster", consider that since 1973, 140 inmates in 26 states have been released from death row upon discovering evidence that these inmates were innocent of the crime they were to be executed for.I'm not talking about technicalities here. I'm talking about innocence.
• For those who have concerns about hearing about prisons with pool tables and tennis courts and other such luxuries, rest assured. We're not talking about a life-long vacation here. We're talking about life in a small cell alone, with a grate that allows you (at most) a glimpse of the guy straight across from you... a small door through which your meal trays can be slid... continuous noise and light on 24/7... staying in that cell alone 23 hours a day... shackles around the ankles, wrists, and waist for the hour out to shower... surprise visits where your belongings are "tossed" to search for contraband... random "cavity checks"... and no end in sight.

This is no vacation. For many of us, death would be a welcome "out" rather than a punishment. And if indeed it is discovered that an error was made and the person convicted is indeed innocent, at least there's the opportunity to be released from hell on earth.

Which is more humane? That's a tough question to answer. But at least we'd have the opportunity to allow someone to attempt to rebuild their lives if, indeed, he was wrongly convicted.  Otherwise, what would we say to the family of the person executed? And what do we say to God?

Somehow "OOPS! SORRY!" doesn't quite cut it.